Italian Americans Growing Figs..Tis the Season.

The Fall in America is one of the best times for outside activities, but as an Italian American its the time of year when we expect our figs and start thinking about making wine. Here as you see my father has been growing his fig tree for years its loaded with figs every year and the actual figs are incredibly sweet. As soon as the figs bloom and ripen the tree will begin to lose it leaves as the cold weather approaches, then my father covers and wraps the tree in a tarp keeping it protected from the harsh winter weather. We live on the East coast and as you can imagine its not Italy, so growing anything is a challenge with our extreme humidity and cold. I will say, the figs are delicious. Now, if we live in Italy the figs are in abundance and we could actually make a variety of delicious foods based from the figs, such as our famous Christmas cookies, Petrali which are filled with figs. Next agriculture update will be talking about our next Fall activity which will be making wine.

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Petrali, Italian Fig Cookies

Many southern Italians make the most delicious cookies during Christmas time. The Italian fig cookies called, Petrali are fig filled cookies that are a speciality from southern Italy and Sicily. Its often times hard to find a bakery where you can get these but if you have time and patience to find the ingredients, then bake away. The first time I actually made Petrali was in my aunt's house in Italy. The process is incredible and the ingredients are as fresh as can be, what I noticed about the process is that my aunt and cousins are so patient with the preparation. When the cookies are done, oh my lord are they good. We didn't make them this year, but I did find recipe online that outlines how to make these fig filled cookies. Good Luck. If you know how or want to share your knowledge on petrali, post away!

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Did You Cover Your Fig Tree Yet?

My father covered his fig tree a few weeks ago, and since the tree really got big this past year..some neighbors have asked what the hell is that big mummy looking thing standing in your backyard? Well, my father then has to give mini-fig tree growing lessons to his "Meri-gan" neighbors. The process of caring for a fig tree is very intense, if you're not patient don't bother getting a fig tree. I see how much time and care my father puts into making sure the tree gets enough water, light and winter care. The usual time here on the East coast to cover the tree is right around October or November. You must be sure to wrap your tree carefully and keep it bundled nicely so its protected against the harsh winter weather. My father also places a bucket on the top of the mummy wrap to make sure no water gets in from the top. I mean when its all said and done, it looks like an eye sore in the yard. But what I will tell you is that the figs that grow from this tree in mid August, Sept., are the most delish. This is fig tree care 101, ala Italian-American. Tweet

Figs in the morning, figs at night....figs, figs, figs!!!

I will say yes, I love figs but like I was in fritelli hell..Ive now graduated seasons and have entered into fig season. The fig is like the most prized possession for my father. He grew a fig tree in his backyard, which is now not such a small tree. This fig tree is now producing tons of figs of which he meticulously nurtured one by one. By that I mean, there is a trick in getting your figs not to bust at the bottom so they can fully grow. My father takes olive oil and rubs each bottom of the fig so they dont crack. I mean this in an all morning event. The man has patience.

He loves his tree so much that like many other Italian Americans who try to keep their figs trees from dying in winter, he wraps it up like a mummy and neighbors would ask,"what does your father have wrapped up in the backyard standing straight up..?" The awkward answer, 'its a fig tree and you have to wrap up it all mummy-ish so it can survive the winter..yada yada yada. Most of the time their like...'oh that's so interesting.' But you know they're like those I-talians do such strange things.

So, now every time you walk in the door, you're offered a fig..and even on the way out. The other day, this is a true story..my father says to my brother, "wanta figa?" my brother says, "no, not right now," then my father gets pissy because he wants him to try the fig and say 'wow, that's a great fig.' There's always a reason for my father's antics. So, again, 'you wanta figa?" My brother, "papa, no, I said I don't want one right now." My father, "why?" My brother, "because"
My father, "come on-whats the big deal, just try!" My brother "OMG, you are relentless!!!, ok I'll have it." My brother eats one looks at me and says, "damn, they're good." I just look at him and laugh. My father just looks over like with a pompous grin and says "see --I tell you." Got to love it. We were laughing our asses off. My father the 'figa' guy.

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